The time has come when we say ‘Good bye’ to Lord Ganesha and tell him to visit next year at the earliest. The 10-day festival was full of joy, celebration and positivity around us.

This year too, the Lord Ganesha came to many houses, won our hearts, and today will be sent back with a lot of celebration, dance and glory. According to Ancient References, Lord Ganesha was created by Goddess Parvati out of dough and she asked him to keep a watch while she had bath. When Lord Shiva (Parvati’s Husband) came, Lord Ganesha did not allow him to enter. Lord Shiva in anger then cut off Lord Ganesha’s head. Goddess Parvati was inconsolable and hence Lord Shiva asked his attendants to bring the head of the first living being who they saw and that being should be sleeping in opposite side of his/her mother. Lord Shivas attendants’ saw an elephant and brought its head. Lord Shiva fixed this head on the human body and thus Lord Ganesha was again brought to life. This day is celebrated as “Ganesh Chaturthi”.

Amongst the Indian states Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Goa, and Tamil Nadu are the prominent states celebrating this occasion. Maharashtra sees families booking idols a month before the festivities begin. There is lot of sentiment and emotion attached to the festival and there is not an eye that does not see a tear for the Lord during and after the festival. In Mumbai, devotees throng to see the Lalbaugcha Raja idol and the Dagduseth Halwai Ganpati in Pune.

As I look back on last 10 days activities, here’s a photo blog for all of my friends/followers:

Day 0: Day before Ganesh Chaturthi (08/09/2013)

The day was busy in preparation to welcome Lord Ganesh and arranging to welcome Ganesh Bhaktas (Devotees). We decorated house, prepared sweets for prasad, arranged for snacks/food to be served next day and preparation for Puja.

Day 1 : Lord Ganesha at my Home

The first day started with worshipping Lord and doing “Puja” by following traditional processes. The day spent in welcoming relatives and friends and doing regular chores of “Puja” and “Aarti”.